Boy Band Stardom: A Documentary

NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, and More: A Dive Into Boy Band Culture

NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, and more quintessential boy bands are tearing up the hearts of devotees in the upcoming Paramount+ documentary Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boydands.

Exclusive Insights from Boy Band Icons

Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive first look at the trailer, which features retrospectives from AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Lance Bass and Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block, Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees, and many more artists who were on the frontlines during the rise of boy bands.

Unveiling the Boy Band Phenomenon

From the Beatles to the Jackson 5 through the Jonas Brothers to One Direction to K-Pop group Seventeen, the documentary from director Tamra Davis (Crossroads, Billy Madison) promises “raw, unvarnished experiences behind the spotlight,” offering insider insights on what it was really like to be a member of a particular group during their big reign, per the synopsis.

Behind the Scenes: Fan Perspectives

Larger Than Life is also very much an ode to the fans, featuring insights from the boy band devotees themselves. “I swear One Direction fans are like the CIA,” says one fan of the English-Irish boy group in the trailer. “We had eyes on them.”

“I have never heard screams so piercing,” McLean recalls of the early days of meeting Backstreet Boys fans in another segment, later adding, “We would not be who we are without the fans.”

Reflections on Fame and Fanaticism

Donny Osmond of the Osmonds — which first launched as the Osmond Brothers and consisted of just the siblings before expanding to feature other family members — is also among those who share insights. “I think somebody’s hurt, and then I realize, they’re screaming for us,” Osmond recalls of the early fan fervor in the trailer, adding with a laugh, “I wanted to have them pull me into the audience and just rip me apart.”

The Highs and Lows of Boy Band Stardom

With the highs, of course, come the lows. “The music business teaches you how to believe in yourself, but what it doesn’t prepare you for is your downfall,” says New Edition’s Michael Bivins.

“When you’re a boy band, you go through really, really hard times,” adds Lachey in a separate confessional.

“Everybody was at their wits’ end,” says Kirkpatrick in another segment. “We literally felt beat up by our label.”

Icons and Insights: The Power Behind the Boy Bands

Acclaimed music manager Johnny Wright, who has managed NSYNC, New Kids on the Block, and other boy bands as well as solo artists Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, produced the doc alongside Van Toffler and Gunpowder & Sky. Executive producers include Barry Barclay, Floris Bauer, Joanna Zwickel, Bruce Gillmer, Vanessa WhiteWolf, and Michael Maniaci.

Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boybands premieres Nov. 12 on Paramount+. Watch the trailer above.

FAQs About Boy Bands

Q: What defines a boy band?

A: A boy band typically consists of young male singers who harmonize together and perform catchy pop music targeted towards a teenage audience.

Q: Who are some of the most iconic boy bands of all time?

A: Some of the most iconic boy bands include The Beatles, Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, New Kids on the Block, and One Direction.

Q: How do boy bands impact popular culture?

A: Boy bands often influence fashion trends, music styles, and fan culture, creating a lasting impact on popular culture.

Q: What challenges do boy bands face in the music industry?

A: Boy bands often face challenges such as maintaining individual identity within the group, dealing with intense fan scrutiny, and facing pressure from record labels.

Credit: ew.com